The ethnic cleansing of Palestine, from the viewpoint of a concerned Australian.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Emad

This week Emad Bornat from Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, was taken to hospital in a serious condition after a tractor accident. Returning home after ploughing his fields, Emad was forced to detour down a steep hill because of the illegal apartheid wall separating his lands from the village. His tractor overturned into the mesh and razor wire barrier. Israeli road blocks delayed the ambulance from reaching hospital, where doctors removed his spleen, for more than an hour.

Emad has fought the occupation with his video camera for many years. He is never absent from the weekly demonstrations at Bili'in, documenting the theft of land and the human rights abuses taking place. He shows great personal courage, getting up close when the bullets are flying, even after his camera was shattered - while he was filming - by a live round. His video footage can be seen on YouTube.

I am proud to claim Emad as a friend. Please pray for his safe recovery.